Population & Deprivation: Young population; areas of significant deprivation.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy overall similar to England average, but large inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Overall average rates of hospital admissions; child health indicators poor in the most deprived areas.
Disease Burden: Lower than average LTC prevalence overall; but high burden in most deprived areas.
Wider Determinants: Average economic activity; average benefit dependency; relatively high proportion social housing.
There is no single definition of a neighbourhood in the NHS and local authority planning context.
Neighbourhoods can be understood in several ways: Administrative or statistical boundaries such as wards, parishes, or Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which provide stable geographies for data analysis.
Economic centres like market towns or main urban areas, reflecting where people live, work, and access services.
Functional service areas, for example, GP practice or NHS trust catchments, which align with how health and care services are delivered.
Collaborative structures such as Primary Care Networks (PCNs) or integrated care partnerships, which represent groups of organisations working together to serve a defined population.
These neighbourhood profiles draw on recorded data for these areas -whether by GP practice population, PCN, or statistical geography - to provide a shared evidence base for planning, resource allocation, and addressing health inequalities.
Norwich West has an age profile that is characterised by a much younger population than that of Norfolk & Waveney as a whole. Old Costessey and Queens Hills has the largest proportion of children (almost 1 in 4 aged under 16), whereas more than one in four are aged 65+ in New Costessey.
Locally, the MSOA with the largest estimated overall population growth is New Costessey with a 24.1% population increase by 2044. There is stark variation in deprivation between local areas.
21.8% of the population of Norwich West live in small areas that are among the 20% most deprived areas in England (Core20 areas). Across Norfolk and Waveney, 14.4% live in Core20 areas.
Small areas (MSOAs) with the highest proportions of non-White residents in Norwich West include Bowthorpe & West Earlham (17.0%) and Earlham (13.3%).
In Norwich West, 24.1% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 36.0% of children aged 0 to 15 in Norwich West are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Norwich West, 27.0% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly higher than across all schools in Norfolk, where 23.6% of pupils are eligible.
Economically Active Definition: Aged between 16-64 and either in employment, unemployed but looking for work and could start within two weeks of an offer, or unemployed but waiting to start a job that had been offered and accepted. During the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 16-64 who were economically active was lower, generally, for neighbourhood areas compared to the East of England (61.8% economically active) and England average (60.9% economically active).In the Norwich West neighbourhood 60.3% of working-age residents were classified as economically active, while 39.7% were economically inactive. These proportions position the area towards the mid-to-upper end of economic activity compared with other neighbourhoods but below both the regional and national averages. Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Norwich West neighbourhood during the 2021 Census varied considerably. Within the neighbourhood, Bowthorpe and West Earlham recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 55.2%, indicating high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.In contrast, Old Costessey and Queens Hills recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (72.9%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This MSOA, along with Taverham (61.9%) exceeded both the East of England average (61.8%) and the England average (60.9%). This suggests that economic activity in these areas is notably higher than regional and national benchmarks.
Occupation, as recorded in the 2021 Census, is derived from an individual’s main job title and the activities associated with that role. Values are based on the proportion of usual residents aged 16 and over in employment. In the Norwich West neighbourhood, professional occupations accounted for 19.4% of employed residents, above the Norfolk average but slightly below the England average. Employment in Associate Professional & Technical roles was also marginally above county levels, reflecting a relatively skilled workforce compared to local patterns.
In contrast, the proportions working in Skilled Trades and Process, Plant & Machine Operative roles were lower than county averages, suggesting a smaller local presence of manual and operational occupations compared with Norfolk overall.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment from the government to help with living costs for individuals on a low income or out of work. Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 66 years of age and have less than £16,000 in money, saving and investments. The Graph shows the proportion of the population (aged18-66) claiming Universal Credit across different neighbourhoods in Norfolk during August 2025. The proportion of residents claiming Universal Credit varies across neighbourhoods. In August 2025, the Norwich West neighbourhood recorded a claimant rate of 19.3%, which was significantly higher than 13 of the 19 other neighbourhoods and above the England average (18%). However, the rate remained above the East of England average (16.3%). In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to 66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the Norwich West neighbourhood (ranging from 9.3%-27.7%).Earlham recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 27.7%, significantly more claimants than all other MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average (18%).Taverham reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 9.3%, significantly fewer claimants compared to all other MSOAs within the area and both the East of England and England average.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) entitlement statistics covers individuals currently receiving PIP and those whose payments are temporarily suspended (e.g., during a hospital stay).To be eligible for PIP an individual needs to be between 16-66 and have a long-term condition which makes everyday tasks or mobility difficult. PIP provides support through two components: daily living (help with everyday activities) and mobility (help with getting around). During June 2025, the Norwich West neighbourhood had a PIP entitlement rate of 9.7%, which was broadly consistent with the average across neighbourhoods. However, entitlement in this area was higher than both the East of England average (8%) and the England average (8.7%), indicating comparatively elevated levels of PIP entitlement locally when compared with regional and national figures. In June 2025, the proportion of residents aged 16 to 66 entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) across MSOAs within the Norwich West neighbourhood varied significantly (ranging from 5.9%-11.7%).Earlham recorded the highest entitlement rate at 11.7%, significantly higher than three of the other four MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average (18%).New Costessey reported the lowest entitlement rate at 5.9%, significantly lower than three of the other four MSOAs within the area and both the East of England and England average.
Compared to England, Norwich West has a lower proportion of homes owned outright (28.4% vs 32.5%) and a slightly lower proportion with a mortgage (27.7% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 24.3%, which is higher than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 18.6% is lower than the England average (20.6%).Compared to the average across neighbourhoods , the Norwich East neighbourhood has a higher proportion of homes mortgaged or rented (from social housing) a similar proportion rented privately and a lower proportion of homes owned outright.
Within Norwich West, there are local areas that have significantly longer male life expectancy than the England average, but other areas have significantly worse mortality outcomes. Overall, premature and preventable mortality are similar to the England average, but there are small areas with significantly higher early mortality compared to the national benchmark.
There is considerable variation in life expectancy across small areas within Norwich West especially for males, alongside variation in multiple deprivation.
Bowthorpe & West Earlham and Earlham have the lowest life expectancies, significantly lower than the Norfolk and England averages.
Females live longer than males in all areas.
There is a large gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of Norwich Place Board (former CCG). The leading causes of premature death - cancer, circulatory and respiratory conditions - are more prevalent in relatively more deprived small areas. Targeted prevention and improved access to care are essential.
As for other indicators, there is substantial variation between local areas with regards to healthy life expectancy.
Residents of Bowthorpe & West Earlham and Earlham have lower healthy life expectancy than the Norfolk and Waveney average, as they do for life expectancy.
Within the Norwich West neighbourhood area: Female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Earlham and highest in Old Costessey & Queens Hills and Taverham in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Earlham and highest in Old Costessey & Queens Hills and Taverham in 2021.
There were 697 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Norwich West in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 2% higher than the England average. Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Bowthorpe & West Earlham (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 136.2). The lowest rate was in Taverham. Bowthorpe & West Earlham and Earlham had a significantly worse premature mortality rate than the England average . In 2019 - 23, 283 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Norwich West were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 12% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Bowthorpe & West Earlham (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 123.3). The lowest rate was in Taverham, which had a significantly better preventable mortality rate than the England average .
Preventable behavioural risk factors have an important impact on ill health and constitute a major challenge for health and social care. Of concern are our rates of smoking, poor diet and exercise, and alcohol consumption.
Behavioural risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption contribute to preventable disease and health inequalities.
Children – Childhood overweight prevalence is overall a little lower than the England average, though there is some variation between local areas.
Adults – Smoking prevalence across Norwich is higher than Norfolk and England averages.
Alcohol-specific hospital admissions are increased compared to regional and national benchmarks.
A smaller proportion of adults are obese.
All these factors are likely in part explained by the younger demographic in Norwich compared to other areas.
Environmental and Social Factors – A few local areas show elevated hospital admissions for children. Behavioural risks are preventable, highlighting opportunities for targeted community and family-based interventions.
Implications – High prevalence of behavioural risks in some local areas contributes to disease burden (injuries, chronic disease).
Tackling smoking, diet and physical activity could significantly reduce health inequalities and improve long-term outcomes.
Due at least in part to the younger demographic, the burden of long-term conditions is overall lower than the Norfolk and Waveney average, but there is marked variation between local areas alongside deprivation. Cardiovascular disease, mental health and harmful behaviours remain priorities for prevention and management.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the West Norwich PCN. Diabetes affects around 3,800 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 1,900 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 1,100 people. These figures highlight a significant burden of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, reinforcing the need for integrated prevention and management strategies.
As for other indicators, there is a large spread of Norwich West MSOAs across the scale for most hospital admission measures.
Numbers of ACS asthma, epilepsy and diabetes admissions were too small for rates to be reliably calculated for many areas.